Ice dispensing machine



Aug. 26, 1969 v H. A. GARBER 3,463,362,

ICE DISPENSING MACHINE Filed 1m. 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl G.l.

INVENT OR H award A. Gurber BY 7 m aza w ATTORNEY INVENTOR H. A. GARBER ICE DISPENSING MACHINE I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Howard A Gerber MUN?!) lmll Aug. 26, 1969 Filed Dec. 5. 1967 I i N i N N NNN FIG.5.

ATTORNEY ,1969 H. A. GA RBER 3,463,362

ICE DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5. 1967 4 Shets-Sheet 5 FIG.8.

INVENTOR Howard A. G urber BY W gzww ATTORNEY Aug. 26, 1969 H. A. GARBER ICE DiSPENSING momma 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed Dec. 5, 1967 FIG.|O.

INVEN'IIOR Howard A. Barber FlG.ll.-

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,463,362 ICE DISPENSING MACHINE Howard A. Garber, 1010 Forest Ave, Richmond, Va. 23229 Filed Dec. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 688,060 Int. Cl. B6711 /52; G011? 11/10 US. Cl. 222254 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An insulated housing forming a storage chamber for ice in cube, crushed or other particulate form, the ice being supported by an upwardly and downwardly movable platform which is biased upwardly in the chamber by springs. The upper portion of the chamber is provided with an outlet opening and contains a rotary impeller having sets of spaced prongs. Fixed prongs at a side of the outlet opening project into the path of the impeller prongs for discharging ice from the chamber through the outlet opening. In a more elaborate embodiment, a vertically elongated endless conveyor delivers the discharged ice to a dispensing spout and also to an ice return duct, movable deflectors being provided so that the ice may be delivered either through the dispensing spout or returned through the duct into the storage chamber, the latter procedure serving as an agitating cycle to prevent the machine from being blocked by freezmg.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in machines for dispensing ice in cube, crushed, flaked, or other particulate form, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a dispensing machine for use in conjunction with a conventional ice making machine, whereby the ice may be easily and conveniently dispensed from an insulated storage chamber through a dispensing spout into a bag or some other receptacle, the machine being particularly well suited for automatic operation, as under a coin actuated control, although such a control need not be necessarily employed.

One important feature of the invention resides in a mechanism for discharging ice from the storage chamber through an outlet opening or spout, such mechanism including a rotary impeller disposed in the upper portion of the chamber and equipped with impelling prongs which cooperate with fixed prongs at a side of the outlet open ing to discharge ice through the opening when the impeller is rotated. Also, an ice supporting platform is movable upwardly and downwardly in the chamber and is upwardly biased by resilient means so that the ice on the platform is constantly engaged by the impeller, even when the ice supply decreases.

A more elaborate embodiment of the invention additionally provides a vertically elongated endless conveyor for delivering ice discharged through the outlet opening of the storage chamber to an elevated dispensing spout. This embodiment also provides an ice return duct extending from an intermediate portion of the conveyor to the storage chamber, an important object of this arrangement being to permit agitation and movement of the ice within the machine at intervals when ice is not being dispensed, so as to prevent the machine from becoming blocked by. freezing.

The machine of the invention is simple in construction, efiicient and dependable in operation, and lends itself to convenient and economical manufacture.

With the foregoing more important objects and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention will be understood from the following description taken in conjuction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference are used to designate like parts, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing: one embodiment of the ice dispensing machine of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the impelling prongs and fixed prongs at the outlet opening;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line '6--6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 7-7 In FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 8--8 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram of the electrical components;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing a modified embodiment of the invention; and- FIG. 11 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, more particularly to FIGS. 1-9 inclusive, the same show one embodiment of the ice dispensing machine designated generally by the reference numeral 15. The same is intended to be used in association with any suitable, conventional ice making machine (not shown), for dispensing ice in cube, crushed, flaked, or other particulate form.

The dispensing machine 15 embodies in its construction a box-like housing 16 having thermally insulated walls, top and bottom as shown, the housing 16 defining a storage chamber 17 for ice which is delevered into the chamber 17 from the ice making machine, as through a suitable opening or conduit 18 (see FIGS. 2 and 6).

The chamber 17 contains an ice supporting platform 19 which is constituted by the bottom; of a box-shaped ice receiving bin 20, the bin as a whole being movable upwardly and downwardly in the chamber 17 land being guided in its movement by a pair of vertical standards 21. These standards are U-shaped in cross-section and pass through U-shaped openings formed in the platform 19, the lower ends of the standards being provided with supporting plates 22 which are secured to the bottom of the chamber 17. Suitable guide rollers 23 are provided in the bin 20 to ride along the opposite sides of the standards 21 as will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, thus effectively guiding the bin in its vertical movement. The standards 21 contain tension springs 24, the upper ends of which are anchored to close upper ends of the standards as at 25, while their lower ends are anchored to the platform 19 as at 26 (see FIG. 4), the springs 24 serving to slide the bin 20 upwardly in the chamber 17, in opposition to the weight of ice in the bin which tends to slide the bin downwardly against the action of the springs. Thus, when the bin is full of ice, its weight will cause it to assume a position near the bottom of the chamber 17, but as the ice supply is depleted, the springs 24 will gradually pull the bin upwardly in the chamber, thus assuring that ice in the bin is always in contact with a rotary impeller 27 which is located in the upper portion of the chamber. The level of ice in the chamber may be above that of the impeller 27, as indicated by the dotted line 28 in FIG. 2.

The impeller 27 is supported by a vertical shaft 29 which projects through the top of the housing 16 and is operatively connected by a reduction gear box 30 to an electric motor 31 on top of the housing.

The impeller 27 may be in the form of a simple strap, angulated as shown to provide a pair of vertical end portions 27a at diametrically opposite sides of the shaft 29, each end portion 27a carrying a set of vertically spaced impelling prongs 32 for cooperation with a set of fixed prongs 33 provided at one side of an outlet opening 34 which" is formed in the housing 16 at one side of the chamber 17. The fixed prongs 33 are also vertically spaced and are vertically staggered with respect to the impelling prongs 32. Moreover, the fixed prongs project into the path of rotation of the impelling prongs as will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 5, so that when the impeller 27 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 35, ice in the chamber 17 will be engaged by the impelling prongs 32 and deflected by the fixed prongs 33 for discharge through the outlet opening 34.

A vertically elongated, thermally insulated casing 36 is juxtaposed to and projects above the housing 16 and the outlet opening 34 communicates with the lower end portion of this casing. The casing contains a vertical, endless conveyor 37, consisting of an endless belt, or the like, 38 passing around lower and upper guide pulleys 39, 40, respectively, and carrying longitudinally spaced sets of transversely spaced conveying prongs 41 which engage and convey the ice discharged into the lower end portion of the casing 36 through the opening 34.

The upper end portion of the casing 36 is provided at one side thereof with an ice dispensing spout 42, and provided in this spout is a movable dispensing deflector 43, consisting of a set of transversely spaced prongs 44 secured to a shaft which is rotatably journalled in the casing as will be apparent from FIG. 7. The prongs 44 are transversely staggered with respect to the conveyor prongs 41 and in one position of the deflector shown by the full lines in FIG. 6, the deflector prongs project into the path of the conveying prongs so that ice carried by the conveyor 37 is discharged through the dispensing spout 42, this position of the deflector also being shown in FIG. 7. However, when the deflector 43 is moved to the position indicated by the dotted lines 43a in FIG. 6, the deflector prongs 44 are out of the path of the conveyor prongs 41 and close off the dispensing spout 42 while ice on the conveyor continues to move upwardly past the spout, it being understood that the conveyor travels in the direction of an arrow 46.

The intermediate portion of the conveyor casing 36 is provided, at the downward run side of the conveyor and below the dispensing spout 42, with an ice return duct 47 which is also thermally insulated and discharged into the storage chamber 17 through an opening 48, as will be apparent from FIGS. 6 and 8. The duct 47 contains a second deflector 49, similar in construction to the deflector 45 in that it consists of a set of transversely spaced prongs secured to a shaft 51. The deflector 49 is also projectable into the path of the conveyor prongs 41 as shown by full lines in FIG. 6, in which position ice traveling up on the conveyor (which is closed by the deflector 43) is diverted by the deflector 49 into the duct 47 and is thus returned into the storage chamber 17. This arrangement is useful in facilitating agitation and circulation of ice within the machine at suitable intervals between dispensing, so as to prevent the machine from becoming blocked due to freezing. During this agitating cycle the deflector 43 closes off the dispensing spout 42 as aforesaid, but when the deflector 43 is projected into the path of the conveyor for ice dispensing purposes, the deflector 49 is moved to the position 49a shown in FIG. 6, wherein it closes off for the return duct 47.

The shafts 45, 51 of the respective deflectors 43, 49 are equipped with suitable cranks 52 operatively connected to solenoids 53, 54 respectively, as shown in FIG. 1, whereby the deflectors may be moved from one position to the other. This is done in a coordinated manner so that when the solenoid 53 moves the deflector 43 into the path of the conveyor 37 for ice dispensing purposes, the solenoid 54 moves the deflector 49 to close off the duct 47. Conversely, when the deflector 49 is moved into the path of the conveyor, the deflector 43 is moved to close off the spout 42.

The conveyor 37 is motivated by an electric motor 55 connected by a belt drive 56 to a pulley 57 on the shaft 58 of the lower guide pulley 39, and a suitable magnetic clutch 58' may be provided for drivingly engaging and disengaging the pulley 57 with the shaft 58. The pulley 57 and clutch 58' may be enclosed by a protective cover 59.

A suitable tray 60, or the like, may be provided on the casing 36 above the return duct 47 and below the outlet spout 42 so that a bag or some other receptacle may be rested on the tray to receive the ice discharging from the spout.

The operation of the machine is controlled by a suitable switch 61 which, as shown in FIG. 9, is connected in parallel to the two motors 31, 55 in circuit with a source of current 62 so that when the switch 61 is closed, both motors are energized and dispensing of ice takes place. Conveniently, the switch 61 may be under a suitable, conventional coin control (not shown), although not necessarily so. The circuit as shown in FIG. 9 also includes a timer 63 having a continuously operating motor 64 connected in parallel to the current supply 62, the motor serving for periodic closing and opening of a switch 65 which is connected in series to the two solenoids 53, 54, the solenoids themselves having a parallel connection as shown. The arrangement is such that the time switch 65 mriodically energizes the solenoids 53, 54 for moving the deflectors 43, 49 to the aforementioned positions wherein ice is agitated and circulated within the machine to prevent blockage by freezing between periods of actual dispensing.

Referring again to the ice bin 20, it will be noted that the same is of sufficient size to provide clearance for the rotating impeller 27 including the prongs 32 when the bin rises upwardly in the chamber 17. However, since the fixed prongs 33 project into the path of rotation of the prongs 32, and therefore into the bin, one side of the bin is provided with a vertical recess 20' to afford clearance for the fixed prongs 33, as will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a modified and a more simple embodiment of the invention designated generally by the numeral 70, which is not equipped with the vertical ice conveyor nor with the means for recirculating the ice within the machine, yet affords effective dispensing of ice from the storage chamber. To the extent that the machine embodies similar parts as the machine 15, corresponding reference numerals have been used to designate the same and their description need not be repeated at this point. However, it is to be noted that in the machine 70 the housing 16 and the storage chamber 17 are preferably cylindrical rather than rectangular, so that ice does not accumulate in corners beyond the reach of the rotating impeller.

Also, in place of a box-shaped ice bin, the machine 70 utilizes a simple platform 71 which is biased upwardly by a compression spring 72 reacting between the platform and the bottom of the chamber 17, the cross-sectional configuration of the platform being more-or-less complemental to that of the impeller 27 so that in its raised position the platform may fit below the impeller as indicated by the dotted lines 71a. The ice is discharged from the chamber 17 through the outlet opening 34 which, in this instance, is equipped with a dispensing spout 73 and a tray 74 is provided on the housing below the spout, as shown. Conveniently, the tray 74 may be provided with a drain 75, also having a drain connection 75a at the bottom of the chamber 17.

As an added convenience, a water supply pipe 76 may be extended through the chamber 17 to provide ice cold water adjacent the ice dispensing spout 73 as indicated at 76a, the flow of water through the pipe 76 being controlled by a suitable solenoid valve 77.

In both embodiments of the invention the fixed prongs 33 at the outlet opening 34 may be directed obliquely against the direction of rotation of the impeller 27 so as to eflectively assist in the deflection of ice into the out let opening. The impeller prongs 32 may also be oblique rather than truly radial, as shown in FIG. 11.

The amount of ice discharged from the chamber 17 through the outlet Opening 34 is, of course, dependent upon the speed and duration of operation of the motor 31. The motor preferably is a variable speed motor which has in circuit therewith a silicone controlled rectifier (not shown), which makes possible rotation of the impeller 27 at infinite speeds, including very slow speeds, so that even a very small quantity of ice may be dispensed at a time.

While in the foregoing there have been described and shown the preferred embodiments of the invention, various modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure and various modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In an ice dispensing machine, the combination of an insulated housing defining a storage chamber for ice in cube, crushed or other particulate form, an ice supporting platform movable upwardly and downwardly in said chamber, resilient means biasing said platform upwardly in opposition to weight of ice urging the platform downwardly against the action of said resilient means, a rotary impeller provided in the upper portion of said chamber for engaging ice supported by said platform, said housing having an outlet opening at one side of the upper portion of said chamber, a set of fixed prongs provided in said chamber in vertically spaced relation at one side of said outlet opening, and sets of vertically spaced impelling prongs carried by said impeller in vertically staggered relation to said fixed prongs, the fixed prongs projecting into the path of rotation of the impelling prongs whereby ice on said platform may be delivered through said outlet opening when said impeller is rotated.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said fixed prongs extend horizontally obliquely against the direction of rotation of said impeller.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprise a compression spring reacting between said platform and the bottom of said chamber.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 together with an insulated, vertically elongated casing juxtaposed to and projecting above said housing, said outlet opening communicating with the lower end portion of said casing, the upper end portion of the casing being provided with an ice dispensing spout, and an endless conveyor provided in said casing for delivering ice from the lower end portion of the casing to said dispensing spout.

5. In an ice dispensing machine, the combination of an insulated housing defining a storage chamber for ice in cube, crushed or other particulate form, an ice supporting platform movable upwardly and downwardly in said chamber, resilient means biasing said platform upwardly in opposition to weight of ice urging the platform downwardly against the action of said resilient means, a rotary impeller provided in the upper portion of said chamber for engaging ice supported by said platform, said housing having an outlet opening at one side of the upper portion of said chamber, an insulated, vertically elongated casing juxtaposed to and projecting above said housing, said outlet opening communicating with the lower end portion of said casing and said impeller being operative to discharge ice from said chamber into the lower end portion of the casing, the upper end portion of the casing being provided at one side thereof with an ice dispensing spout, and an endless conveyor provided in said casing for de livering ice from the lower end portion of the casing to said dispensing spout.

6. The device as defined in claim 5 wherein said conveyor includes longitudinally spaced sets of transversely spaced conveying prongs, together with a dispensing deflector movably mounted in said dispensing spout, said deflector including a set of transversely spaced deflecting prongs which are staggered transversely with respect to said conveying prongs and in one position of the deflector are projectable into the path of the conveying prongs for discharging ice through said dispensing spout, said deflector having another position wherein said deflecting prongs are out of the path of the conveying prongs and close off the dispensing spout.

7. The device as defined in claim 6 together with an insulated ice return duct extending from an intermediate portion of said casing to said chamber in said housing, and a second deflector movably mounted in said duct, said second deflector also including a set of transversely spaced deflecting prongs which are staggered transversely with respect to said conveying prongs and in one position of the second deflector are projectable into the path of the conveying prongs for returning ice through said duct into said chamber, said second deflector having another position wherein the deflecting prongs thereof are out of the path of the conveying prongs and close off said duct.

8. The device as defined in claim 7 together with actuating means for moving said dispensing deflector and said second deflector in relative coordination so that the second deflector closes off said duct when the dispensing deflector projects into the path of the conveying prongs, and conversely, so that the dispensing deflector closes off said dispensing spout when the second deflector projects into the path of the conveying prongs.

9. The device as defined in claim 5 together with a set of fixed prongs provided in the chamber of said housing in vertically spaced relation at one side of said outlet opening, and sets of vertically spaced impelling prongs carried by said impeller in vertically spaced relation to said fixed prongs, the fixed prongs projecting into the path of rotation of the impelling prongs whereby ice on said platform may be delivered through said outlet opening into the lower end portion of said casing when said impeller is rotated.

10. The device as defined in claim 5 together with vertical standards provided in said chamber and slidably guiding said platform, said resilient means comprising tension springs anchored at one end thereof to the platform and at their other end to the upper ends of said standards.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 650,569 5/1900 Shaw 222-405 X 2,337,161 12/ 1943 Hessert 222-405 X 3,192,734 7/ 1965 Swanson 222-410 X 3,211,338 10/1965 Weil et a1 222254 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner F. R. HANDREN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

